Reuters fires Matthew Keys

4/22/13 1:44 PM EDT

Matthew Keys — who is currently facing charges that he conspired to help members of the hacker group Anonymous gain access to the Tribune Co.’s computer system — has been fired by Reuters, effective immediately.

Keys, who was Reuters’ deputy social media editor, wrote on Twitter, “Just got off the phone. Reuters has fired me, effective today. Our union will be filing a grievance. More soon.”

Keys has not yet responded to POLITICO's request for comment. Reuters spokesperson David Girardin confirmed to POLITICO in an email that "Keys is no longer with the company, effective today."

Keys — a former web producer for the Tribune Co.-owned television station KTXL FOX 40 in Sacramento, Calif. — has been charged with giving members affiliated with Anonymous log-in credentials for a computer server belonging to the Tribune Co. According to the indictment, the group used the information to hack into the Los Angeles Times and change a news story online. He had previously been suspended from Reuters, with pay.